Ring lifter for automobile wheel rims



1931- L. E. LOOMIS ET AL 1,829,804

RING LIFTER FOR AUTOMOBILE WHEEL RIMS Flle d May 31, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 3, 1931. 1.. E. Looms ET AL 1,329,804

RING LIFTER FOR AUTOMOBILE WHEEL RIMS Filed May 31, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 i I l atentedNov. v

, 'UNETEDsTATIas PATENT. OFFICE LEsLin n. noomrsiiivn EARL ROOT, or BUFFALO, NEW YORK RING; L FTER roR 'A'UITOMOBILE WHEEL Rims.

fAppli cati on medle 31, 1930. Serial No. 458,258.

7; This invention-relates to a ring lifter for p automobilewheelrims and more particularly to a'tool whichis adapted tobeused in removing a split tire retaining ring from au- 7 5 tomobile wheel rims which 'ring'is' provided with] a recess or notch' at one of its ends for the purpose of the insertion of a" tool between the rim and theringandenabling that "end of the ring to be wedged out of the-chanhi nel of the rim in which ityis normally arranged.

The prlncipal object of this 'invention'is to provide such'atoolwhich is so -formedi that it can be easily inserted into the notch at one end of thesplit ring and between the rinr'and the ring and which is additionally provided with cam surfaces whereby by a simple manipulation of the tool the notched end of the ring is lifted free'of the rim so that I 'the-ring-can-be removed. The tool so designed that this operation can be affected F with "the minimum expenditure of time and eifort'and is also'so designed that 'it will A operate satisfactorily under all conditions, such as when the ring is badly rusted'to the Another object isto' provide such'a tool which isof such form that the same tool can be operated on a'wide. range of the difier'ent sized wheel'rims. By'this means only one tool need be kept on han d in agara'ge to move all splitrings of both trucks and pleasurecars, 1 f Another purpose is to provide such a tool which is compact andcan therefore readily be stored} away, which is inexpensive and requires no elaborate machining operations thereby permitting its production at low cost.

In the aooompanyingdrawingsr I I 1g. 1 is aside elevation of the preferred form of ring lifter embodying thepresent invention. 1

j Fig.2is a fra -o',f.f-; M f Fi'g; 3 is asectiontaken on line 3+3, Fi-grl. Y Fig. 4 is a perspective view of apart of a rim having a ring thereon andshowing a tool em-b odyingthe present invention inserted in entaryend .elevation-there-' showing the ring partlylifte is adapted .tobe removed fwhich is made in the form'ofa single parti in each figure' with a permanent fiange 11 and at its op-' its initial position preparatory to lifting 'the ring.

Fig. 5 is a similar view showing the second position of the tool in lifting the ring and 1 Fig. 6 's, a similar View showingthe final operation of the tool in lifting the ring pre paratory to its removal. I

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary side elevation ofan automobile wheel rim showing the til-e retained thereon by the form of'ring which from the rim by the-present invention.

Figs. 8-13 show a modified form of tool for lifting rings from automobile rims in which: 7

, Fig. 8 isa side elevation of the modified form of ring lifting tool.

' fFig. 9 is a fragmentary end elevation there- Fig. 1():is a'section taken on line 10-10,

r Fig.11 is a perspective view of a part of ari-m having aring thereon and showing the modified form of tool inserted in its initial position preparatory to lifting the ring.

Fig. 12 is a similar View showing the second position of the modified form of toolin lifting the'ring andshowing the ring partly lifted.

Fig. 13 is' a similar view showing the final operation of the tool in lifting the ring preparatoryto its removal.

S1m1lar reference numerals refer to like v 7 One form of the rim or ring in connection with. whichv the present invention is adapted to be used "is shown in Figs. 4 7. As there shown the rim 10 is provided on one side posite side is bent to provide a depressed annular channel 12. The outer end of the channel 12 is revers'e'ly formed as indicated at 13. The split retaining ring 14 comprises an annular inner part 15 which is received in 5 the channel 12 and flange 16 which is generally the sameform as the'permanent flange 11' on the opposite "side of the rim. One end "17' of the split ring 14 is undercut to form-a recess ,or-notch 18. The inner shoulder 19 109 der 19 is outside of the reversely formed end 13 of the channel 12 so that a tool can be insertedflbetween the shoulder 19 and the re- I a easily forcedinto the position shown in Fig.

verselyformed end 13 ofthe channel 12 and thereby permitof wedging the end 17 ofthe SplitI-ing-aWayFfrOm the rim s'othat it can be removedtherefrom:

ing the present -invention; as' shown inF-igs 1-6, comprises an Llor S-shaped bar 11 having a shank 101 and la'terajlly projecting ends V 102. These ends 102are formed by bending I iject in opposite direotlon'sirom' the shank the bar and are preferably formedito pro '1 loi so that the end not used forins a crank ll 311 116 for the manipulation of the tool.

Eachgof the endsr'102 are identical in construction and operationand} hence a de'scrijn: V tion of one will be'deemede to apply-to both. It: Jwi'll" be understood, however that. these ends can he made of-difierent sizes so that sthflzltOOlfiCtlll be adapted'afor all ranges of '25 automobile 1 rims from; the coI-np aratively large and heavyjrims ,oftrueksto the rela- "-tivelylight and small rims-of pleasure cars.

7 103 is tapered tOnllI'OVidG fiat converging V p a comparatively thin-end for the tool and these L, ;fi'at facesare generally. inth'e same plane as f 7 the ends and shank ,ofthe t'ool. At its outer end each end 102 of the-tool is formed'to pro- "and laterally in thegdirectionof the'shank 101' As best shown in Fig. ,2: each 'of- ,thei'encl s faces 103 at its opposite ends which form a 'vide a horn 104.which extends outwardly of the :tool. This horn is formed by tlietpr'o- ;vision' of an outwardly bulging rounded part 141015 on thelsidcwolttheend 102 away frointhe ZShan'ki101-and by the provision of a recess 106 on the side of the'end -102rwhichis nearrest to "the .shank "101.," ;The bulging. partp105 'ofeachend otthe t'ool isrounded, as best shown inPEig; 3,.Iir1d'v the rounding at this edge 'ofgeach end of the tool preferably merges; into, the flatfacesr103 on opposite sidestherotf In; the same manner the ;tool

at each recess 106 is rounded to provideacarn faceacross this recess,' this camctacei preterm bly merging intothe flat faces 1103at opposite sides, attach end of the tool. il hethulging" outer edge or portion 105.v of each-endof the tool and theoppositelrecess-106are preferahly' 'so formed that-the horngis of tapering vor somewhat bluntly pointed'formvasishownilIl 'Flg. 1. i i In; using this form oftoola the end 102 se lected. isplaced; adjacent f'the notcli 18 and are * th shank 101 of; the tool is arrangedtangentially oft-he V rinig In this position the horn? ,11104, with itstaperingiflatisides 10. c'anhe forced intotheglnotch 18' betweenthe :rim

10 andlthe shoulder l9; this-;initia-l position being illustrated in Eig.- 4;i-. Inf this inserted ositionth otch 11 .06 oftl eiendans d is ar- 1,829,804 f c I ii;

rangedunder the shoulder 19' o'fithe ring. 7 it willbe noted that even though the effective size ofthe notch18 is comparatively small,

as longas the'end or point otthe horn104t can beinserted the end ofthe tool can be 4 hy the application of pressure at; the bend of the too l.f" I

I e Ihetool is then. rotated clockwise ahout the working end 102 as an axisto the position shown 'i n Fig. 6. In'this-position the-opposite or unused extension102 of the tool can 7 be 'used'asa crank'handle. In this operation the roundededge or bulging part 105 and the rounded edge fforniing-the notch 106 form cam faces which ride along the shoulder" 19 of the ring and the reverselyformed edge 13 of the channel. 12 of, the rim; 3 Since thefiattening of the sides of eachend cluz provides a flattened end which is thinner than its dimension along"theQ1ine 3 3,.-Figi 1, as best shown inEig. 35 itisapparent that'this ro t tion ofthetool necessarily lifts th not h ftherin gn, this lifting i mu .v

trated inFigfij, r n g The Y shank 10 e the tin lifter a; then swung radially outward relative to the riin', I

Fig. :6;- Since theoblique Cross sectional di- Inensiorr along the-lineAj- -A, Fig. 1 is great- .er than the dimensionjalong the line 8 -3 thereof, it is apparent-that this action wedges the. ring stillv (further out of its retaining channel and this outward action continues [until the notched end of the-ring is free'from the channel at which timethe horn 104, en-

gaging the'inner side'of thenotched end of the ring -forcesit laterally outward free of the rim'lO. It is apparent that in this posi 3 tion' the ringis positivelyheld out :by the V .horn 104 of the tool and cannot accident-1y snap, hack-into position. [In-the modified form of the; invention shown .in ;Figs. .8-13 the ring" lifter. is similarlyformed of an L or S-shaped bar 20 havingashank 21 and .ends 22'which are formed by bending'the bar 20 in opposite directions from the shank 21 sothat the non-workingend forms a "crank handle for the manipulation 'ofthe tool; 7 As best: shown in Fig, 9 each of thefends 22 is tapered to provide fiat faces 2.3 "at its opposite sides whih form a comparativelythin end for"thejtoolythesefiat faces being generally in a the same planeas the ends, and

shank of theftool; *At its outer endfleach end 22 of the tool-is formed to provide a notch or recess 24, this notch being rounded so as to; form a cam face 25 whichnfornis a r otndj ing continuation" of each ofathe; flat? faces 23 0f the;tool; and; this notch 2tialso forrning a foot 26; havinga to'e *27 ;-and a heel-28; The

- m st;

toe-of this foot 26 is formed to provide an arch or rounded extension 34: which arch is also rounded in the same manner as the notch 24 and forms a continuation of the cam face 25 Theheel 28 is provided with a notch 29 jforming a shoulder 30, the shoulder 30 being notched end 17 of the ring. ,Inother word s, the heel 28 of the endofthe toolused, is "arranged adjacent the .end of the notch 18 and the toe 27 of the tool extends toward the arranged opposite to the notch '24 in a direc t-ion substantially parallel to the shank 21 of the tool. ,The notch '29 is provided with a sharp corner 33 at its opposite sides for a pur pose which will presently appear and the tool 27 is also formed to provide a. small oblong extension 31 which forms a shoulder 32, this shoulder 32 facing the shank 21 of the tool. .7

In using this modified form ofthe toolthe tapered end of one of the end extensions 22 is first forced between the shoulder l9at the notched end ofthe rin 14 and the reversely formed end 13 of the channel 12 of the rim. In this position, shown in Fig-11 the shank 21 cf the toolextends tangentially to the. rim and the shank 21'i's so arranged thatit extends in the same'direction as the opposite unnotclied end of the split ring.

The tool is then rotated clockwise about the working end 22 as an axisto the position shown in Fig. 12. In'this operation the oppositeor unused extension 22 of the tool can 7 be used as a crank. Inthis operation the square corner 33 ofthe heel 28 at the notch 30 engage or dig. into the reversely formed pend 13" ofthe channel 12 and prevent the, v =tool from slipping. It istherefore apparent 7 that when this tool isso turned the shoulder ,19of the ring 14: rides upon the rounded cam face 22 of the tool and since the distance between this cam face 25 and'the notch is substantially greater than the transverse thickness of the tool at the same place, theend 17 of the ring is wedged outwardly. The shank 21 of the ring lifter is then swung radially outward relative to the rim or toward the axis thereof. In this position, as shown in Fig. 7 the shoulder30 of-the 'notcli29, engagesthe reversely formed end 13 of the channel 12 of the rim and the foot 26 forms a lever fulcru'm'ing about the shoulder 30which lifts the notched end 17 of the ring free of the channel. Inthis operation the shoulder19 at the notched end of the crank 14: rides up on the camface 25 and along the l arch 3 1 of the foot 26 and this movement continues until theend 17 of the crank is en- T tirely free from'thechannel 12 after which the ring can be removed in the usual manner. The shoulder 32 at the end of the toe 27 prevents the end 17 of the ring from passing beyond-the end of the tool and thereby prevents thefring from [snapping back intov its position in the channel 12. It is apparent that'by providinga'tapered end to the tool in the event that the space between the shoulder 19 at the notched end 17; of the ring 114 and the reversely formed lend 13of the channel 12' is comparatively small, so long. asthe end of the toolcan be inserted, the tool can i simple rotation of the tool and subsequent movementof the tool radially outward from the rim the tool'completely frees the ring I from the rim. This freeing ofthe rim,-in

both formslofthe invention is effected entirely by cam faces so that the effort required a is very small'and at the'same time-a large amount of power can be applied in the event that the' ring is rusted .onto the rim. The

I tool is a-lso simple to operate, is made in the form of a single part and is so formed that it T is compact and can be produced atlow cost. It will also be particularly noted that in both of the forms of the invention the rounding 25 and 106 provides'a shoulder at a side opposite from the horn at theend of thetool.

Itv is apparent that this shoulder forms a stop shoulder for preventing the inward slippage of the tool when the tool is being forced downwardly in its last operation of removing the ring, this operation being illustrated in Figs. 5,6, and 13.

We claim:

1. A tool for removing split rings of the character described from vehicle wheel rims, which rings are each provided with an undercut recess at one end, comprising a metal bar which is flattened at opposite sides at one endto fit said recess between said ring tangentially ofsaid rim, said flattened portionbeing transversely notched at one side forming a reduced or hook portion and leaving a shoulder, and the tool atsaid recess being rounded-to provide a cam face which merges into said flat'faces whereby upon =1;

rotating said inserted toolthe rounded cam face of said notch'engages and lifts the end of said ring from said rim which becomes engaged in the notch between the hook and shoulder to prevent slipping and upon thereafter swin ing said tool radially and toward said ring and displaces it laterally from said rim.

2. A tool for removing split rings from 'vehicle rims, which rings are each provided with an undercut recess at one end, comprising a metal bar formed to provide a handle andja laterally projecting end, said laterally projecting end being flattened to wedges.

I and rim when the flattened sides are arranged the axis 0 said rim said extension engages 7 .videee poinizedhorni afltheiorfjsaid end,y i.

im tenedend being formed to'provide an out- Zwhenthe, fla t"faces of.saidextension are/ar ii. e i 'xw inn:

ranged? ftagngentially 0ft saidrim, and said 2.: end being alse'notehed at one-edge to j.pr

saidnotch' being of rounding-form in' plan r, andfisilso .-having its bottom founded to pro; .fvideja transverse cam fa'ceiand an'adjacent shoulder-midthevopposite.edge ofsaid flat j;

":wardlybulging porti'dn whereby upon erot'at- V 'ing theinserted end of said'tOOL'therOunded "Cam face-0f said notcheengages and lifts the endof saidring from said rim and upon "15'fthereafter sw i ngingisaid end radially and 1 I I 2b" said ring laterally from saidv rim.

j V signatures;

IOWLIfd the axis of saidrim, said bulging peftidn rides along said rim, said ring rides up 4- on, sa id horn, ,sai'dsring is' iwedgedrfurther 1 "frbm'said rim' andsaid horn also displaces .LESLI ELLOOM IS.j e ,EARLROOT, I 

